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Spitsbergen & Polar Bears – an Arctic Adventure (Sunday to Friday)

Spitsbergen & Polar Bears – an Arctic Adventure (Sunday to Friday)

From AUD $2,620

Description

This voyage on MS Nordstjernen is the essential Spitsbergen adventure. Spend two nights on land and the rest at sea exploring Spitsbergen´s extraordinary Arctic landscape of glaciers and fjords. Scan for magnificent wildlife and we just might see the King of the Arctic; the mighty polar bear.

Trip Name
Spitsbergen & Polar Bears – an Arctic Adventure (Sunday to Friday)
Days
6
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Expedition Ship Length: 87.4 m Passenger Capacity: 290 Built: 1956 Refurbished: 1983 & 2000 MS Nordstjernen is named after the North Star or Stella Polaris, famous for helping seafarers find their way back home and the Vikings to navigate the north The ship was built to sail Norwegian Coastal Voyages in 1956 and extensively modernised in 2000 for exclusive Arctic sailing. Today she takes explorers on adventures in the waters around Spitsbergen. Despite modernisation, she still retains the aura of an old Atlantic ship, restored to her former splendour with new brass, classic wooden interiors and all her original art. Out on deck you come extra close to the untouched nature of the Polar Arctic and with roofs over a lot of the deck space you can enjoy being outside, even in rough weather. MS Nordstjernen is equipped with a dining room and bar, a café, a panorama lounge and a library. Inside you’ll find cosy interior and exterior cabins, the majority of which have upper and lower berths. All rooms and deck surfaces exhibit that old, beautiful wood.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 On the Edge of Wilderness
Your adventure starts with an overnight stay in Longyearbyen, a surprisingly cosmopolitan frontier town on the edge of the Arctic, with galleries, pubs, restaurants, and shops. The package includes an overnight at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, the world’s northernmost full-service hotel when booking a cabin with private facilities on board MS Nordstjernen. If you have booked a cabin with shared facilities, an overnight at charming Coal Miners’ Cabins is included. Hotel upgrade is available on request.
Day 2 - Day 2 Settlements of the Far North
After breakfast, and check out, take your bags to the bus at 9:00am to join a tour of Longyearbyen that includes the Svalbard Museum and Camp Barentz. Once aboard MS Nordstjernen, we sail to the Russian coal mining town of Barentsburg to explore the exotic collection of Russian artefacts and architecture, join a folklore show or soak up the real Russian atmosphere in the local pub.
Day 3 - Day 3 Chances of Seeing Polar Bears
This area is rich with islands, fjords and beaches. In Magdalenefjord, you’ll discover a whaling station from the 16th century. We arrive in the morning and hope to make a landing to explore this wonderful Arctic wilderness. Scan for polar bears, Minke whales and seals.
Day 4 - Day 4 Fjords, Glaciers and Research
We will spend most of the day cruising into lovely Krossfjord. The landscape here varies from large tundra plains to alpine peaks with dramatic glaciers tumbling into the ocean. At the end of the fjord is the majestic Kongsbreen (King’s Glacier). Later, we dock at Ny-Ålesund, one of the world’s northernmost communities.
Day 5 - Day 5 Cruising into Isfjorden
Next, we sail the Isfjorden, the most prominent fjord system on Svalbard, passing the nesting sites of thousands of guillemots. Marvel at the large U-shaped valleys, carved out of the mountains by the giant glaciers. After disembarkation in Longyearbyen, enjoy the day before a Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Day 6 - Day 6 Flying Home from the Arctic
This Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen. An early morning transfer bus will take you to the airport for your flight home.
Day 7 - Please Note:
Hurtigruten offers unique expedition cruises to some of the most remote and pristine waters of the world. As with all expeditions; nature prevails. Weather, and ice and sea conditions, sets the final framework for all Hurtigruten’s operations. Safety and unparalleled guest experiences are at all times our top priorities. All our indicative itineraries are continuously evaluated for adaptions, whether this is due to constraints the elements unexpectedly presents – or exciting possibilities nature and wildlife offer. That is why we call it an expedition.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-05-202424-05-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
19-05-202424-05-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
26-05-202431-05-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
26-05-202431-05-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
02-06-202407-06-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
02-06-202407-06-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
09-06-202414-06-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
09-06-202414-06-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
16-06-202421-06-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
16-06-202421-06-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
23-06-202428-06-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
23-06-202428-06-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
30-06-202405-07-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
30-06-202405-07-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
07-07-202412-07-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
07-07-202412-07-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
14-07-202419-07-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
14-07-202419-07-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
21-07-202426-07-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
21-07-202426-07-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
04-08-202409-08-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
04-08-202409-08-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
11-08-202416-08-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
11-08-202416-08-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
18-08-202423-08-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
18-08-202423-08-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From
25-08-202430-08-2024AUD $2,620Polar Inside. From
25-08-202430-08-2024AUD $4,161Polar Outside. From

Inclusions

    • Chance of seeing polar bears
    • Cross 80° N and come ashore to explore the Arctic wilderness
    • Experience the Midnight Sun (until 23. August), giving you 24 hours of daylight to discover Svalbard
    • Explore magnificent Arctic scenery and fjords with the nostalgic MS Nordstjernen

Map